BeautyBrave

How many hair lovers will you be shopping for this holiday season? We’ve got the perfect additions for all of their stockings! From novice stylists to seasoned pros, these are the stocking stuffers all hair lovers can’t get enough of! Scrunchies They’re back! This ‘90s darling has claimed the hearts of the new generation and made a major comeback in the fashion scene. Not only do they come in tons of cute patterns, but they also reduce friction and strain on your strands, making them better for your hair! The best part? You can never have too many! Claw Clips Another former ‘90s staple, the claw clip has had a major resurgence. Coming in all sorts of colors, patterns, and even sizes, these handy little clips are ideal for creating fun styles for all hair types and lengths. Mini Products From sampling new products to traveling with ease, mini products and styling tools are the perfect way to give a hair lover something new to play with. The stakes are low, the payoff is high, and the size is just downright cute! Silk Pillow Case Soft, smooth, and amazingly comfy, silk pillowcases are popping up in bedrooms everywhere! Not only do they feel incredible, they also provide major benefits to your hair. The soft nature of the silk helps prevent split ends and breakage, so not only are you giving a gift that feels luxurious, you’re helping them along on their healthy hair journey! What are your favorite hair themed stocking stuffers? Let us know in the comments!

Maria McCool founded the SHiNE Program at Penn Medicine in 1998 as a way to help women going through chemo experience a day of pampering.  Over the past 25 years, the nonprofit organization has grown to offer everything from appointment transportation and wig selection to massage therapy and fitness memberships to the people of Chester County, PA. Every October, Calista donates a portion of its yearly profits to the program while Maria continues to offer her hairstyling services to SHiNE patients. This year, Calista Salon held a sample sale and raised thousands of dollars to help SHiNE continue its mission. Maria On SHiNE “The SHINE event held for the PENN Cancer Center is stronger than ever. We raise hundreds of thousands yearly to support women through their time of treatment. The money we raise supports our wig program, so patients get free customized wigs cut and styled for them. The money also provides transportation to treatments when patients don’t have rides, as well as massages, acupuncture, and nurse navigators, our unsung heroes that are the true cheerleaders for the patient’s needs. They help the patients navigate their way through this uncharted terrain with ongoing support.” Excerpt from Maria’s Book, "Becoming BeautyBrave" “I recently fitted a twenty-year client of Calista, Stephie, for her wig. While I was cutting it, she was sharing with me how she was feeling and just how upset she was to lose her hair. Her whole life she was known for her gorgeous hair. When we discussed the loss of her hair, even more than the illness itself, the tears flowed. I continued to shape and cut the wig to look just like her hair as she continued to share more. As the wig started to take shape, her entire demeanor began to change. Her bubbly personality returned. Her lively sense of humor was back, and she was joking with everyone coming over to my station to see how her wig looked. She was her old self again, literally in a matter of a haircut. She came back the next day to tell us that her daughter came to see her that night because she knew she was getting her wig. She said her daughter came into her house and was talking to her for about fifteen minutes and then said to her, “Mom, I thought you were going for your wig today?” You can only imagine how she felt when her own daughter thought the hair on her head was the gorgeous hair she always had. Stephie said it released something in her that she didn’t even know was still there.” Donations SHiNE provides patients with state-of-the-art wigs to ease their chemotherapy journeys. By donating to SHiNE, you can offer the gift of confidence to program participants and specify that your donation go to providing a patient with a wig! Learn more about donating here.

Looking to update your Fall look? Professional stylist and Calista founder Maria McCool has got you covered A Vintage Touch“Something I’m seeing everywhere this fall  is the use of bows or vintage ribbons in hairstyles! I love the idea of taking a beautiful velvet ribbon or even a cool vintage scarf and making it part of your hair look for a fun seasonal change. Plus – this is a trend that will be just as chic in the winter!” Warm & Rich Hues“In the fall I love all of the warm, rich tones that come into style. From a light caramel blonde to a brown copper (apparently they’re calling it Bropper!), bringing out tones with a little spice is such a fun way to change it up!” The Crop Bob “If you follow us on social media, you’ve seen me give the crop bob to QVC host Amy Stran many times! It’s one of my favorite short cuts that really accentuates the face and is just the perfect combination of trendy and classic!” How are you updating your look this fall? Let us know in the comments!

Have you heard? It’s time to embrace your grey. A style we’re loving this season is grey blending – the natural transition from color to grey. It’s a unique hair coloring technique that allows you to slowly work in your greys as they appear, blending them with natural-looking highlights that mimic your natural tone. In short, it can be a smooth transition to going totally grey!Not sure if it’s for you? We’re here to help! Below, we’re talking all things grey blending from deciding if it’s the next stop on your hair journey to asking your hairdresser to get you the perfect look and how to maintain it! Choosing Grey Blending Gray blending is a subtle hair color application that oscillates between highlights and balayage. Typically, your colorist will start by lightening large sections of hair with a balayage technique and follow up by accentuating finer strands to blend with your natural grey. This contrast between lighter and darker hair allows the grey to look more natural, giving the hair a more cohesive look overall. If you’re unsure about deciding to start grey blending, ask yourself if you fall into any of these categories: Not ready to go all grey Like some dimension in your hair color Want to stay natural without committing to a whole new look Love a low-maintenance color regimen If any of these sound like you, grey blending might be right up your alley! Asking Your Stylist for Grey Blending Grey blending can be done on any original color, from dark brown to bright blonde. While it tends to work most easily on lighter shades, your colorist will be able to guide you in the right direction when it comes to formula, technique, and distribution of color. Maintaining Grey Blending Maintaining grey blending is much simpler than maintaining a full color treatment. Your hairdresser will be able to give you a timeline for your next dose of color, but visits to the salon can be spaced out over the next several months. Best of all, this low-maintenance color treatment helps maintain your hair’s integrity, decreasing the potential for damage as it ages. As always, we recommend maintaining a hair-healthy cleanse and condition routine, sticking with tools that limit heat damage so as to not risk decolorization, and keeping up with regular trims so that your hair stays healthy, shiny, and fresh! Do you think you’ll try grey blending? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re a Perfecter fan, you know that we’ve had a huge range of prints and colors over the years. From beautiful florals and bright hues to moody tones and animal prints, the Calista Perfecter is known for bringing a beautiful pop of color to your bathroom counter and making styling easy, fast, and fun. This summer, Maria wanted to give the Perfecter a new look, something beyond a fresh print or color that had never been done before. Enter the Rose Gold Chrome Perfecter. “The chrome is such a fun innovation for us!” Maria said, “It allows us to take a tool that our customers know and love and give it a bit of a facelift, making it feel totally new!” The Calista founder is always looking for new ways to change up her popular tools, specifically the Perfecter Pro – a tool that’s been a top seller for Calista since the 2010s. The original Perfecters came only in solid hues, but as time went on, Maria wanted to bring some prints into the mix. From fun florals to pretty patterns, the Perfecter gets a new look every year (sometimes more)! However, this is the first time a chrome finish has made its way onto a Calista Tool (and we’re not giving away any spoilers for 2024, but it probably won’t be the last)… Do you have a favorite Perfecter pattern? Are there any fun prints, colors, or finishes that you’d love to see on your favorite Calista tools? Let us know in the comments!

Need some recommendations? We asked our BeautyBraves Facebook Group what their favorite Calista products are… Eileen Embellish Finishing Spray: “I have tried almost every high end hairspray on the market. Embellish is the one I stick with!” Sandy Triangl Pro: “I’ve owned a Triangl Pro since it first came out and use it every day on my thick, curly, frizzy, long hair. This tool has made it possible for me to have beautiful hair with tremendous shine, body, and control without any damage.” Lauralee Stratosphere Bounce Cream: “It gives me the diva hair that I have always wanted to have!!” Gloria Perfecter Pro: “It is the best hair tool that I have ever used and I finally enjoy styling my hair, which has always been hard to manage. It is a breeze now and my hair actually looks good!” VickiStyleDryer Pro: “This is the first product I’ve ever used that helps me control my hair, dry it easily, and finally allows me to actually change up how I wear it. It’s been a game changer for me!” Have You Joined the BeautyBraves Facebook Group? The BeautyBraves Facebook Group is a community that shares a passion for positivity, acceptance, and transformation. It’s a place where Calista fans and hair lovers alike can gather to talk about beauty, give tips and tricks for their favorite Calista products, and even be the first to hear about new launches! Plus, Calista founder Maria McCool drops in with exclusive content and hairstyling advice. Click here to join us on Facebook!

The travel-sized tool that handles the details. The GoGo Mini Detail Brush is here and we’re completely obsessed! The Basics Inspired by the Triangl Pro, the GoGo Mini Detail Brush is a full-powered, perfectly packable styling tool that takes on the same unique shape as the Triangl in a new, compact form. Just like the Triangl Pro, this tool lets you get right to the root to volumize and control unruly cowlicks, stop frizz in its tracks, and handle all of the details. Plus, it’s super cute size makes it easier to handle and tackle problem spots! Just like the Triangl, this tool has no clamping or pressing your hair between harsh metal plates. Instead, it features unique triangular plates that are topped with precisely spaced and softly tipped teeth to eliminate tangles and keep your hair healthy and damage-free. Plus, it heats up to 392° F, giving you the strength of a larger tool in a smaller package! Of course, it features the signature Calista Fusion Technology. The tool releases negative ions that don't open up hair shafts, allowing the hair to remain smooth and sleek. This feature adds shine and body, eliminates frizz, reduces static, and keeps hair soft and hydrated. Why The GoGo? As we expand the GoGo Mini line, we’re entering into a whole new category of hairstyling tools: travel-sized, full-powered tools that are compact, packable, and effective! According to some of our customer reviews… “This little brush is a game-changer when it comes to taming flyaways and getting those stubborn knots out!” “This is perfect for short hair, to touch up and tame long hair. Simple to use and such a clever idea.” “My hair is very thin and flat I used this heated detail brush and it made my hair have volume and so soft!” Have you tried the GoGo Mini Detail Brush? Let us know in the comments and tag us on social media @calistatools or with #BeautyBrave!

Memorial Day Weekend is upon us, which can only mean one thing: the start of summer! At Calista, we’re so excited for the warm weather fashion, the outdoor activities, and of course, all of the fun summer hair trends. We’ve compiled our top 3 favorites for all types of hair and all types of style – keep reading for some inspo! Ballerina Bun If you love to have your hair out of your face and crave that perfectly polished look, this summer trend is right up your alley. The prim and proper ballerina bun is back in a big way and we’re loving the idea of pulling out this style for summer. To make sure your bun stays in its properly pristine place, use a fine tooth comb and some strong hairspray to handle any flyaways and create a clean, smooth finish.   Clip It! From butterfly to claw, those super fun 90s clips have risen from the dead and made a reappearance in a major way! Claw clips come in a variety of sizes, but we’re loving these extra large ones that let you gather up all of your hair at once. For shorter styles, smaller clips in fun shapes like butterflies or flowers add a little touch of youthful energy to your look and give you a cute, easy way to pin your bangs back. You can find any number of clip styles online or even at your local drug store! Muss it Up Whether it’s the re-emergence of 80s styles or a movement toward embracing natural texture, messy hair is super in this season. While this may not be an easily achievable style for all hair types, it’s the perfect look for those with naturally wavy or curly hair or even those of us that have a little extra texture or thickness to our locks! To give your hair a more deliberately messy look, we recommend using a hair tool like the AirGlide or the GoGo Mini Round Brush to achieve a little extra volume. Finish off your style with Embellish Flex Spray for some hold. Better yet, fully embrace your natural look by taking a pea-size amount of Embellish Texturizing Definer to your hair! It’ll give you that bedhead look without having to add any heat to your hair whatsoever!   Any summer hairstyles you’re dying to try out this year? Let us know in the comments!

It’s finally back! After a long wait, Embellish Root Touch-Up is finally back in stock! This product not only covers greys and fills in thinning patches with its 11 easy-match shades, but it also features a fibrous formula that adheres to individual strands and plumps up hair for a fuller, thicker look. Want to know how to choose the right color for your hair? Keep reading to find out! Choosing Your Shade It starts with the basics. What color is your hair? Below is our color-matching chart to help you get started. According to Calista founder and Embellish Root Touch-Up creator, Maria McCool, “Hair color is very unique and the color choices on the market are very limiting. We want to change the root coloring space for the better because this is a huge need.” Embellish Root Touch-Up comes in 11 shades that match well with a wide variety of hair colors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t mix and match. Maria will often mix colors together to achieve a desired shade depending on the time of year. “My typical shade is Ash Blonde, but if it’s summer and my hair is a little lighter, I’ll mix in the Light Blonde to give my roots a bit of a brightening!” Maria said, “Some clients with grey hair will mix Salt & Pepper with White to achieve that perfect shade. Some brunettes find it best to mix together a few of our Browns to get the perfect look. Even Auburn beauties use a bit of the Blonde if they have a more copper tone to their hair! The options are endless and that’s why I love this product so much!” Maria’s made it easy, too. All you have to do with Embellish Root Touch-Up is tap and blend. The unique sponge applicator delivery system has the range of a spray and the accuracy of a brush, making it an easier solution than other root touch-up products on the market. “Embellish Root Touch-Up is one of my favorite products we’ve created! As we like to say, it helps you feel confident from the outside in!”

You may have noticed that Calista has been bursting with Vault Tools lately! We wanted to give you a rundown of our current Vault selections, when they came to be, and which ones our founder, Maria McCool, considers some of her favorite colors and patterns. Vault Sweet Summer FAUXblos These FAUXblos were a QVC Today’s Special Value in Summer of 2022! Maria loved these bright, fun colors and thought they were the perfect representation of summertime vibes. The color names are Raspberry Ice, Blue Snow Cone, and Pink Lemonade. Perfectly refreshing names for a stellar hot tool that’s made to refresh your hair! Vault Print Triangl Pros We have a few fun prints happening with our Vault Triangls at the moment, all from the November 2022 TSV! The Purple Orchid is a serene, unique Calista print that is a fun departure from our typical, more crowded floral prints. The bold purple color doesn’t hurt either! The other two prints are Snakeskin and Cheetah Print, two chic animal prints that made a big splash when we released them on QVC and our website! Vault Color StyleDryer Pros Can you saw jewel tones? These bold StyleDryers have been around since the holidays, but initially made their debut back in 2021. Maria chose these brights as a way of commemorating the holiday season and giving one of our most popular tools and fresh and fun revamp. The Radiant Fuchsia and Brilliant Teal shades are absolute showstoppers while the Light Pink was one of our classic hues made fresh with the debut of our then-revamped Calista logo. Vault Print Perfecter Pros   Save the best for last? When it comes to the Perfecter, that might be the case! No matter what prints the Perfecter comes in, it’s forever and always one of Maria’s go-to tools. These Vault versions feature our Zebra and Cheetah prints, two that debuted in September 2022. We hope you’ll love styling on the wild side with these ultra-cool classics.     Have you purchased a Vault tool? Let us know which one is your favorite and which vintage Calista prints you’d love to see make a reappearance!

Our newest addition to the Stratosphere Line is taking the BeautyBrave World by storm! Formulated in 2022 and launched on our website at the start of 2023, Stratosphere Bounce Cream has quickly become a fan favorite product. Keep reading to find out why! About The Product Stratosphere Bounce Cream is a lightweight, wet-hair styling fluff that creates sky-high volume and spring-back bounce. Formulated to have a uniquely cloud-like texture, bounce cream elevates your strands and add volume, lift, and actual bounce to your hair. Maria came up with this product when she was looking to add a fresh new product to the Stratosphere Line. She wanted something that could be used on wet hair and give that light, flexible volume that Stratosphere products are known for. Why You’ll Love It The entire Stratosphere line is light, flexible, and perfect for giving hair body without weighing it down. Our favorite feature of Bounce Cream is that it’s formulated with oxygen to keep hair feeling light while adding volume and providing glamorous bounce before you even reach for the hairdryer. Maria also loved that Bounce Cream has a cloud-like fluffiness when scooped from the jar – it truly feels like a cloud! When you rub it into your hands, it completely  transforms into a velvety, luxurious styling cream. How To Use It Bounce Cream is meant to be used on damp, towel-dried hair. For best results, scoop a nickel-sized amount onto your palm and rub your hands together. This will make the product transform into a smooth styling cream. Once the product has transformed, evenly work it through your hair from roots to ends. Try not to use too much! This product is highly effective so a little bit goes a long way! Have you tried Bounce Cream? Comment below or post your pictures on Instagram and Facebook and tag it with #BeautyBrave!

Happy March! Not only is this the month that Spring begins, but it’s also our founder, Maria McCool’s birthday month! We sat down with her and got the scoop on her current Calista favorites. Find out which products she’s loving for the moment and which products she can never go without. “My favorite products change all the time – it depends on my mood, how I’m styling my hair, and the time of year. I believe in having a wardrobe of styling products and tools, but these 5 are my current go-tos!” Jousse Vitality Spray “Aging hair can’t go without this! I use this every single day to protect and strengthen my hair.” Smoothie Brush “This goes hand in hand with the Thermal Spray. Doesn’t pull or damage my hair!” Embellish Texturizing Foam “My go-to styling product right now!” Perfecter Pro “The Perfecter can do any look I want. It’s definitely my go-to tool. This is a desert island tool for me – I’m always using the Perfecter.” Embellish Finishing Spray “I’m all about a wardrobe of hairsprays, but when it comes to which one I use the most – it’s this. I’m always running out of my Embellish!” Want more Maria? Check out our Instagram @calistatools or our Facebook page @Calista by Maria McCool for her daily updates, tips & tricks, and styling tutorials!

This March, we’re donating 5% of our profits to Penn Medicine’s SHiNE Foundation. Not only does this charity do amazing work for the West Chester, PA community (where Calista is based), it’s also something incredibly close to our founder’s heart. Maria McCool, and the Calista Salon team founded the SHiNE Program at Penn Medicine in 1998 as a way to improve the patient experience for those going through chemo. Over the past 25 years, the nonprofit organization has grown to offer everything from appointment transportation and wig selection to massage therapy and fitness memberships to the people of Chester County, PA. The goal of SHiNE is to provide support to the individual so that his or her strength, courage and heart will continue to SHINE. Today, Calista donates a portion of its yearly profits to the program while Maria continues to offer her hairstyling services to SHiNE patients. Maria on SHiNE “The SHINE event held for the PENN Cancer Center is stronger than ever. We raise hundreds of thousands yearly to support women through their time of treatment. The money we raise supports our wig program, so patients get free customized wigs cut and styled for them. The money also provides transportation to treatments when patients don’t have rides, as well as massages, acupuncture, and nurse navigators, our unsung heroes that are the true cheerleaders for the patient’s needs. They help the patients navigate their way through this uncharted terrain with ongoing support.” An Excerpt on SHiNE From Maria’s Book Becoming BeautyBrave: “I recently fitted a twenty-year client of Calista, Stephie, for her wig. While I was cutting it, she was sharing with me how she was feeling and just how upset she was to lose her hair. Her whole life she was known for her gorgeous hair. When we discussed the loss of her hair, even more than the illness itself, the tears flowed. I continued to shape and cut the wig to look just like her hair as she continued to share more. As the wig started to take shape, her entire demeanor began to change. Her bubbly personality returned. Her lively sense of humor was back, and she was joking with everyone coming over to my station to see how her wig looked. She was her old self again, literally in a matter of a haircut. She came back the next day to tell us that her daughter came to see her that night because she knew she was getting her wig. She said her daughter came into her house and was talking to her for about fifteen minutes and then said to her, “Mom, I thought you were going for your wig today?” You can only imagine how she felt when her own daughter thought the hair on her head was the gorgeous hair she always had. Stephie said it released something in her that she didn’t even know was still there.” How You Can Help Interested in helping out or donating to the SHiNE program? Donations can be made on their website: https://www.chestercountyhospital.org/giving Donations can be specified for things like wig services, fitness memberships, therapeutic massages, Nurse Navigators to help patients through this difficult time, transportation to appointments, emotional support services, and more.

At Calista, we’re all about finding solutions to get you the hair you’ve always dreamed of. This can be anything from tools to bring you fresh new styles, tips on haircuts and styles, and of course, products to help your hair thrive. Today, we’re talking about our most requested topic: Volume. Here are 4 tips on how to take your hair from flat to fabulous (with or without products and tools!) Spray, Spray, Spray Let’s keep it simple – Embellish Finishing Spray is the ultimate volume hack. Created to be a buildable spray, Embellish can be layered several times to lock in more volume and keep your hair plumped up all day long. Plus, it’s created with a waterless formula that decreases the product weight and doesn’t leave your hair feeling weighed down. It’s a great volumizing option if you’re not interested in changing your hair or haircare routine right now! Go Short This may seem like an obvious one, but cutting your hair is a fast-track to more volume. This is especially true if your hair is naturally a little thinner. Thin hair lays flatter the longer it grows, so giving it a nice trim will add more body. Start with a couple of inches and see how it feels. We love a shoulder-length cut, a bob, or even a pixie if you’re feeling extra BeautyBrave! Air Dry The less heat exposure, the better! We create all of our tools to be equipped with ionic technology so as to prevent unnecessary heat exposure. That being said, letting your hair air dry a few times a week is an easy way to give your hair less heat exposure. For an extra boost, add a little Jousse Vitality Spray to strengthen and revitalize your strands. Switch Up Your Part Did you know that when hair is parted the same way for long periods of time, it will lay flatter? That’s right! Because your hair gets used to growing and laying in the same pattern, it’s less prone to volume! Try switching up your part from a side to a middle or vice versa and just watch as your hair lies a little less flat! For an extra boost, add a little 02 Texturizer Spray at the roots.

The newest Calista tool is a-Go. That’s right, it’s the newest addition to the fan-favorite GoGo line. Maria wanted to create a GoGo product that was unlike anything else we’ve ever made. We’ve had blow dryers in the past and we’ve certainly ventured into travel-sized tools, but this time, Maria decided that if it was going to be small enough to travel with, it had to also be powerful enough to blow dry with. Introducing: The GoGo Mini Hair Dryer. The Basics The GoGo Mini Hair Dryer is a full-powered, 1000-watt hair dryer that comes in a petite and perfectly packable size. Ideal for travel, this tool folds in half for optimal portability and easy storage. With its full 1000-watt power, it also features two dryer speeds that let you control the temperature and the airflow speed. Best of all, it comes with a concentrator attachment that lets you focus the airflow for a super targeted dry. From short hair to long hair – this tool is strong enough to dry your whole head and small enough to fit in any carry-on, purse, or cosmetic case! Why the GoGo? Maybe you’re wondering where this tool would have a place in your styling tool wardrobe. If you already have a hair dryer and you already have a GoGo Mini Round Brush, do you really need to get the GoGo Mini Hair Dryer too? Well, of course that’s up to you, but Maria created this tool not only for national travelers, but for those who have limited storage space, those who regularly shower at the gym, those who don’t want to waste space in their weekend duffel bag by packing a full-size hairdryer, and even those who want a reliable, Calista-brand hair dryer rather than using the one that comes in their hotel room. There are endless reasons to try the GoGo Mini Hair Dryer, but the long and short of it (hair pun intended) is that it’s the perfect combination of size and strength. A full-powered hair dryer in a cute, compact package. Will you try the GoGo Mini Hair Dryer? Let us know in the comments and tag us on social media @calistatools or with #BeautyBrave!

It’s that time of year again BeautyBraves! Winter is in full swing and static is running rampant. We’re giving you 3 amazing tips for keeping the static at bay and making sure your hair stays happy, healthy, and most importantly, hydrated. 1. Think About Your Hair Tools It’s no secret that heat styling your hair can often cause it to dry out, making your ends split and depleting your hair of that ever-so-necessary moisture (especially in the winter). When choosing hair tools to style with, try to be mindful of their features. Tools that use ionic technology to lock moisture into the hair’s cuticle will help your hair maintain hydration rather than drying it out. Additionally, consider letting your hair air-dry every now and then in the winter. Keeping direct heat off of your hair as often as possible is a great way to stop dryness in its tracks.  2. Condition, Condition, Condition While shampoo and conditioner are always essential to a healthy haircare routine, conditioning becomes especially crucial in the winter months. The biggest mistake you can make in the winter is depriving your hair of a little extra conditioner. This can take the form of a rich hair mask or, if you really want to treat yourself and your hair, a professional deep conditioning treatment at the salon. Because conditioner is all about sealing the hair cuticle and restoring moisture to your hair, it’s a key component of your regimen that helps prevent unwanted static.  3. Don’t Over-Wash It may seem counterintuitive to the above point, but over-washing your hair is just as bad as not using a conditioner. Every time you shampoo, you strip your hair of natural oils that help it maintain a healthy look and feel. In the winter, over-washing your hair will actually dry it out faster than washing every few days and using a moisturizing conditioning product. If you have very fine hair that you’re used to washing every day, try shampooing every other day to keep your hair clean, while still preventing winter static.

This one is for all the long-hair girls out there! Let’s state the obvious: long hair feels amazing. It’s lush, it’s bouncy, it’s fun to play with and even more fun to style. Cutting it off (even just a trim!) can feel like you’re taking away your signature look, an array of styling options, and even part of your identity. Our hair is a huge part of who we are, but forgoing a cut even though there are some key signs that we need one will likely just leave us feeling worse. Today, we’re talking about a few telltale signs that it’s time for a hair change (even just a trim!). Sign #1: You're Always Putting It Up We’ve all been here – your hair isn’t falling the way you want, styles aren’t holding, and it just feels heavy. It’s easier to just get it out of your face and toss it up in a ponytail or bun. If you find yourself doing this on a regular or even daily basis, you might want to consider taking some length off. Or at the very least, think about getting rid of the dead ends and giving yourself a fresh style. Maybe some layers? We’ll let you be the judge! Sign #2: Styles Aren’t Holding Have you had a morning or two where you try to create a curl and it’s just not happening? Or you aim for a chic blowout, but the whole thing just ends up looking frizzy? Another sign that it’s time for a cut! Even a slight trim will help remove the dead ends that are keeping it from holding a style. Sign #3: Your Ends Dry Lightning Fast This one is key: if you notice that the ends of your hair are dry mere moments after you step out of the shower, it’s time for a cut. When hair cuticles are damaged, they take in more water and dry out more quickly. Cut them off and start anew.   Sign #4: Your Style Has Faded Remember that layered look you were going for when you last got your hair cut? Or the chic lob that has now turned to a shoulder-length frizz fest? If you relate to this and feel that the style you set out to have has completely faded, why not get your BeautyBrave on and go for a new look? Are you planning on a BeautyBrave haircut in 2023? Let us know in the comments!

You’ve seen it on our social media channels, you’ve viewed it on our site, maybe you’ve even already purchased it. We’re talking about the brand new, totally innovative Calista Beauty Case. Maria created this product with the help of some BeautyBrave customers who thought it would be a great idea to have a 3-in-1 case for storage, organization, and styling anytime, anywhere. Keep reading to learn a little more about our Calista Case and see if it might be a good fit for you! What Is It?   The Calista Beauty Case is an all-in-one organizer, storage case, and pop-up vanity counter for all things makeup and hair (even your tools)! It’s everything you need for glam on the go, styling in small spaces, and keeping your favorite beauty and hair products organized and always at the ready. It’s the first product we’ve ever had that isn’t a hair tool or product, but actually works as an all-in-one beauty essential!   Break-Down of Our Favorite Features Organizer First and foremost, we have to recognize that this product is designed to organize any and all of your beauty products. With 3 hair tool slots (that can also hold brushes, products, or even a water bottle), 7 different-sized compartments ideal for any and all cosmetics and skincare items, and 3 makeup brush bags (again, use them for whatever you can think of!), this case was made to keep all of your beauty products and tools in one, seamlessly organized place. Storage System   Organization and storage go hand-in-hand. The great thing about this compact case (measuring 15.6" x 5.5" x 13.9") is that once you organize all of your beauty essentials, you can also safely and easily store them. Just zip up the case and slip it under your bed, next to your bathroom counter, or wherever it’s most easily accessible for you!   Pop-Up Vanity This is probably the coolest and more unique thing about the Calista Beauty Case. It’s equipped with lock-in-place technology, which means that when you lay the case completely flat, it activates a lock that allows you to use it as a pop-up vanity counter. Small counter space in your bathroom so you’re forced to do your hair and makeup over the sink? No room for a beauty counter in your apartment so you do your hair and makeup on your bed? Traveling and unable to find the space to lay your products down? We have your solution right here! Heat-Resistant Lining We couldn’t create a case with hair tool storage without making sure that you can place your hair tools in it without risk. The hair tool side of the Calista Beauty Case features lining that is heat resistant up to 300°F, so you can lay tools in there while styling over your pop-up vanity or pack them before they’ve fully cooled so you can get going without the wait! So what do you think? Could a Calista Beauty Case simplify your beauty routine? Let us know in the comments!

Every year, we here at Calista are so grateful to work at a company where new ideas are constantly flowing. The products and tools we come out with each year are just as exciting for our employees as they are for our customers. This year, we asked all of the employees at HQ which Calista products they think will make the best gifts this holiday season. Keep reading to find out more about some of our amazing team and the hair products and tools they can’t get enough of! Maria – Founder & CEO “Well of course I love all of our products but the FAUXblo is the one product where I have never had a single client not love it. It’s so easy to use and it makes a great gift because you can start styling right away – there’s no learning curve. And right now it comes in SO many fun colors! Also I have to pick the gift card – I love a gift that lets me choose for myself!” Ryan – Photographer and Videographer “As a guy there aren’t a ton of products I use a lot, but I would give anything from the Jousse Line as a gift. They all have great formulas and really help hair growth and overall hair health.” Melanie – Customer Service Specialist “I LOVE Jousse Vitality Spray!  While I was on vacation with my sister recently, she tried it on her hair and loved it too! The Perfecter Oval is my "go to" hot tool.  It's the perfect tool to curl my bob haircut under and give it a smooth, finished look.  It's especially helpful on the days I don't shampoo to help smooth out my style." Elizabeth – Copywriter & Web Coordinator “I love a lot of our products but I have to go with the AirGlide. I use it almost every day. I love it because I don’t have to use hairspray to get my curls to hold for multiple days. It’s the best! I’ll also be gifting Jousse Cleanse & Condition. It has completely changed my hair!” Which Calista products will you be gifting this year? Let us know in the comments!  

It’s that time of year again! It’s getting colder and colder, which means it’s time to wear all of your most adorable and cozy winter hats. Leaving the house in a hat is a no-brainer, but what about the hat hair you’ll inevitably have once you get to your destination? We’ve got a few tips (and a few product recommendations) to help! Hack 1: Embrace the Mess! When you pull your hair out from underneath a cozy hat, not only will it be a little messy, you’ll likely also run into some static. This can cause your hair to look frizzy or a little unkempt. Rather than taming the mess, sometimes it’s easier to just embrace it. Using a texturizing product can help you create a piecey, textured look that feels a little more deliberate. Pull hair into a half-up pony or a messy low bun to create some more dimension! We recommend 02 Texturizer Spray for longer styles and Embellish Texturizing Definer for shorter hair. Hack 2: Tame and Touch-Up This hack will definitely depend on your hair type, but once you take off that fuzzy winter hat, try using a brush and detangler combo. A light, crisp detangling spray will add some moisture into your hair and help you tame the frizz, all while smoothing out your locks and helping your hair return to its natural texture. Brush it out and give your hair a clean slate! We recommend Jousse Vitality Spray (also works as a vitamin-infusion) and the Smoothie Brush. For a little extra taming, try the Triangl Pro. It is a heat tool, so would require an outlet, but it’s amazing for smoothing out hair in a pinch! Hack 3: Pull it Back This is less of a hack and more of a simple way to create a clean, polished look anytime, anywhere. You can never go wrong with a simple bun or half-up look. This way, you take all of the hair on the top of your head (the part most affected by the hat) and simply pull it out of your face and tame it back. Using a brush and some hairspray (choose the amount of hold you need based on your hair type), brush your hair away from your face and create a clean, smooth look. Tie your hair into a bun or ponytail and spritz on the hairspray to get rid of flyaways. We recommend Duet Hairspray or Airshape Finishing Spray for thinner hair and Embellish Finishing Spray or Marathon Hairspray for thicker hair. And as always, we suggest our favorite flexi-brush, the Smoothie Brush!